Halo Stickman

Actually, Maysie, this sort of sums up my feelings as well. When I think about Saints I tend to recall happy times going to the Dell with my dad, standing on the terraces with my mates, watching St Mary’s being built, taking my son to his first match, or celebrating, commiserating or dreaming with fellow Saints’ fans who otherwise are complete strangers to me – or even celebrating, commiserating or dreaming with just a couple of beers for company. Yes, of course, I prefer to see us winning rather than losing and watching us play decent football as opposed to carp football; but, to be honest, I don’t spend too much time dwelling on individual players etc: I’ve seen so many come and go over the years – sadly, quite a few of them are now dead – but the club goes on without them. For me, the most important thing is that Saints remain healthily viable – anything else is a bonus. I remember how devastated I felt when I thought there was a chance of us going under – it would have felt like a big part of my life going missing. Like you, I ask myself the question: am I accepting mediocrity? I suppose I am, and perhaps this makes me odd and hopelessly lacking in ambition; but that’s just the way it is. We all support the club; all of us in our different ways.

And I have found it best to look at this thread after I’ve taken my tablet rather than before I’ve taken my tablet.

Shame, he'd done quite well up until that point. Mind you, it seems like O'Brien played very well. I thought that D/L due to the rain delay favoured Hants, but may be not.

Coles seems to blow hot and cold. Sadly, none of our bowlers seem to be performing well tonight, although I'm only following the match on cricinfo so maybe I'm doing the Leicestershire batsman a disservice Edit: Hang on, looks like I was doing a disservice to Tomlinson and Smith! Edit edit: No, as you were - O'Brien hits first 2 balls of Tomlinson's last over for 4 and 6 to win the match

Playing for England Lions against Sri Lanka A. He scored 10.

275/9 total – a lot better than it looked half way through the innings; need some early wickets to apply some pressure. Great to see young Terry top scoring!

From 88/0 to 139/5, Hants struggling against Leicester in latest 50 overs match

These days I'm just grateful for whatever I can get

I can well understand why Rickie saw this as a dream move, but the trouble with dreams is that eventually you have to wake up – usually to a much harsher reality. Playing a tremendous, talismanic role in our recent success didn’t prevent some Saints’ supporters suggesting he didn’t warrant a place in our premier league side. Little wonder then that supporters of Liverpool – where his only previous role has been that of teenage reject – are starting to think likewise. Whatever happens, he’ll always be a Saints’ legend for me.

Excellent post.

PFC unveil their new executive suite PFC's new sweeper clears tumbleweed from the pitch PFC supporters gather at the home end

Glancing up at Mrs Stickman sat in her crimplene dressing gown scowling at me across the breakfast table, I’m not sure Arsène is totally right about this.

Be careful, Redslo, this place can be weirdly addictive. It’s like doing drugs – seems fine at first, but within days you’ll be a shambling, raving, incoherent loon just like the rest of us.

Just purchased my T20 Final tickets from Edgbaston! Thanks for the helpful advice about restricted viewing. Shame about missing the WBA match – I was looking forward to seeing our new team of world beaters. Still, if Finals Day comes anywhere near our 2012 finals then it should be a sacrifice worth making.

I couldn’t choose which Saint to name my lad after, so I decided on whoever scored first in the next match – I had to give myself a good talking to when Marion Pahars opened the scoring.

Barry Sanchez’s estate agent mate might have been right about Lallana house hunting in Liverpool. (Seem to recall this opinion being just a tad unpopular at the time)

Apparently it’s very difficult to nutmeg a mermaid, but I’d like to give it a go.

I’m sorry to hear about your daughter’s illness, SOG; hopefully, with professional help and the support of her loved-ones she will soon get over this terrible affliction. I’ve read that developing brains undergo a process during adolescence that some neurologists refer to as ‘brain-sculpting’ or ‘pruning’: basically, new neural networks are laid down, whilst superfluous old ones – those that provide children with a sense of wonderment in the ordinary, naivety, blind-faith and absolute trust in adults etc – are discarded. It seems that for some young people this process is very destabilising and can play a role in the onset of eating disorders, self-harming, drug abuse, depression and anxiety etc. It’s a mystery why some young people are so badly affected by this process, whilst others are not; however, it cuts across social, economic and all other demographic boundaries, and even affects siblings within the same family in different ways. Of course, external factors also play a role, especially in teenagers – peer pressure, exam pressure, sexual relationships, bullying etc – and adolescent ‘brain sculpting’ is unlikely to be the reason why some people develop eating disorders etc. later into adulthood. Nevertheless, fortunately, the process of adolescent ‘brain-sculpting’ is relatively short lived; and, over the years, I’ve witnessed a number of young people within my extended family and friendship group make a full recovery from anorexia and go on to lead, seemingly, happy lives. I sincerely hope that your daughter does the same, and wish you all the best.

Has anyone mentioned Chesty Morgan and her Deadly Weapons? I spent many a 70s’ night waking up hot, bothered and feeling all unnecessary after watching that film.

Back in the early days of St Mary’s my nipper used to stand near to the club shop – around about 75mins before kick-off, as I recall – and get the players autographs as they walked across from the car park. He used to love spotting the different cars they owned. Don’t know if it’s the same these days.

Personally, I wouldn’t dream of shopping anywhere else, oooh aaah

Hat’s off to you Bucks Saint for taking that gamble; I’m kicking myself for not doing the same – considering out excellent record, I should have shown much more faith in our team.

I started to get a little twitchy at that point too, although to be fair to Smith he seems to have a cool head on him, has generally been excellent for us this season and bowled pretty well today.

Cheers for info. I’ve checked out the Edgbaston site but they don’t seem to have tickets on general sale at the moment (although, frustratingly, the opening page says they do). Looks like it could be tricky getting tickets as a non-member.

Agree with you regarding Sky coverage. I reckon Shah and Dawson to replace Maxwell and Abbott.